Category: Software

Vodafone inks € 7.7 billion deal with KDG

MUMBAI: Germany‘s largest cable-TV platform, Kabel Deutschland, is set to be taken over by mobile telco giant Vodafone in a deal worth € 7.7 billion ($10.1 billion).

[Click and drag to move] Liberty Global, which owns Germany‘s Unity Media, had also been eyeing KDG, which has about 7.6 million TV subscribers in Germany. The transaction values KDG at € 87 per share. Its combination with Vodafone, which has 32.4 million mobile customers in the country, will create a company with € 11.5 billion in German revenues.

Vodafone predicts a strong growth potential for KDG, particularly with multi-service bundles-existing Vodafone customers can be cross-sold KDG‘s broadband, fixed telephony and TV offerings, while KDG subs can be cross-sold Vodafone‘s mobile offerings.

“German consumer and business demand for fast broadband and data services continues to grow substantially as customers increasingly access TV, fixed and mobile broadband services from multiple devices in the home and [Click and drag to move] workplace and on the move,” said Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao. “The combination of Vodafone Germany and Kabel Deutschland will greatly enhance our offerings in response to those needs and is consistent with Vodafone‘s broader strategy of providing unified communications services. The transaction announced today-which the management and supervisory boards of Kabel Deutschland intend to recommend to their shareholders-will lead to the creation of an operator with significant competitive scale, attractive operating and capital investment efficiencies and a combined management team with expertise across all communications segments and technologies.”

Following the transaction, KDG management will be responsible for the combined consumer fixed-line business throughout Germany and for creating the single product platforms for TV, broadband and fixed telephony, out of the existing headquarters in Unterföhring. The platform‘s CEO Adrian V Hammerstein, will be invited to join the management board of Vodafone Germany.

Hammerstein commented, “Kabel Deutschland has evolved into one of the most dynamic players in the sector. Its high-performance infrastructure and successful strategy makes it ideally placed to continue returning above-average growth in a rapidly changing market. Kabel Deutschland and Vodafone are an ideal fit. Together, we have the opportunity to become Germany‘s leading telecommunications and television provider and to create what for the German market is a unique, winning combination of fixed line and mobile communications.”

June 26, 2013
Tata Elxsi unveils RDK system integration program

BENGALURU: Leveraging its extensive and global experience from engagements with leading MSOs, OEMs and SoC vendors, Tata Elxsi has unveiled its latest system integration program for the deployment of the RDK (reference design kit) platform from Comcast.

As an RDK System Integrator, Tata Elxsi will assist operators in determining specific requirements, integration, application development, pre/post testing and deployment in an efficient and cost effective manner.

RDK is a pre-integrated software bundle that creates a common framework for powering tru2way, IP or hybrid set-top boxes and gateway devices and accelerates the development and deployment of next-generation video services. Comcast licenses the RDK to OEMs, SIs, SOCs, software vendors as well as MVPDs to create a community of innovators focused on bringing rich, multi-screen TV home entertainment experiences to consumers faster.

The RDK offers a cloud-based platform for application development and requires neither platform specific implementation nor download. Thus it enables operators to easily deploy & upgrade applications in their network and ensure a consistent user experience in contrast to traditional middleware.

As an open platform, the RDK allows application developers to benefit from the vast expertise of the open source community, facilitating easier implementation and faster turnaround.

“As an RDK licensee, Tata Elxsi is pleased and excited to be an active promoter of the RDK and provides a comprehensive set of services to SoC Vendors, OEMs and MSOs help adopt and implement RDK based devices and services,” said Tata Elxsi EVP Manoj Raghavan.

June 26, 2013
Hiremath resigns from IndiaCast Media Distribution

MUMBAI: Distribution veteran Sanjev Hiremath has announced his resignation from his position as IndiaCast Media Distribution executive vice president. Indiacast media distribution, a strategic joint venture created by TV18 and Viacom18 was formed in May, last year, to create India‘s first multi-platform content asset monetization entity.

Prior to Indiacast, Hiremath had started digital and new media business for Viacom18, TV18 and ETV channels. He also had a role to play in setting up one of the early cable TV initiatives.

The veteran has been closely associated with the cable & satellite industry. He joined MTV networks as head ofnetwork development for India & South Asia, when it was launched in India in 1996. He was also instrumental in successful launch and distribution of several channels like Nickelodeon and VH1. Post the joint venture between Viacom and Network18 he oversaw the launch of Colors, Comedy Central and Sonic.

Announcing Sanjev‘s departure, IndiaCast Group CEO Anuj Gandhi said, “Sanjev has admirably led our new media and digital business over last one year or so and has put us on a path of high growth trajectory. He is an old friend and colleague and we will miss his expertise and knowledge in the cable and satellite industry. As he now ventures out, I wish him all the success in all his future endeavors.”

Hiremath, who resigned from his position in April, has not decided his further career plan. “I have not decided to join anywhere as yet. This industry has taught me a lot and so I have decided to continue with this industry itself. I want to work in both traditional and new media space,” said Hiremath while speaking to indiantelevision.com.

His last day in office is 30 June. Where will he go next? Well, we will have to wait and watch.

June 25, 2013
CAF submissions: Delhi cable TV subscribers get 15-day extension

NEW DELHI: Apparently, cable TV subscribers in Delhii called the TRAI‘s and the MSOs‘ bluff and won. After consistently stating that the last date for submitting consumer application forms (CAFs) or channel selection forms (CSFs) to cable TV operators was 25 June, the telecom regulator gave them more time to submit their forms in Delhi.

TRAI today announced that the last date has been extended to 10 July, but warned that there would be no further extension. Yesterday, MSOs had stated that the process of CAF collection was proceeding smoothly and that they were going to comply with the TRAI‘s orders and disconnect errant subscribers after today (Read: Indiantelevision.com‘s CAF story MSOs say that cable TV customer response positive for CAFs). Today, however, a delegation of them went and moved TRAI to extend the deadline primairly for Delhi..

The telco regulator noted that though there had been a ‘tangible’ increase in the number of people who had filled the CAF forms, there were still a large number of cable operators and multi-system operators who had informed TRAI that they did not have the full details of their consumers yet.

Consumers have been asked by TRAI to cooperate in every way to ensure that CAF are complete in every manner.

However, it was made clear that no further extension would be given and the MSOs would have no option but to disconnect the signals to consumers who fail to give the forms in time.

Meanwhile, TRAI has launched an SMS service to reach out to consumers about the importance of CAF, even as major channels have jointly launched a television commercial featuring the lead actresses from popular series.

June 25, 2013
SES renews deal with Pakistan’s Supernet

NEW DELHI: SES, a satellite operator with a fleet of 53geostationary satellites, has renewed a multi-year multi-million dollar contract with Pakistan‘s satellite network service provider Supernet.

Supernet will acquire C-band capacity on the SES NSS-12 satellite at the prime orbital location of 57 degrees east. The capacity of this satellite, combined with the strong system integration capabilities of Supernet will provide a high quality GSM backhaul services to mobile operators in Pakistan.

This will also expand network coverage in the remote mountainous areas in the northern region and hard to reach southern regions of the country.

Supernet COO Hamid Nawaz was present on the occasion at CommunicAsia2013 and said the company was quite satisfied with the performance of the NSS-12 satellite throughout Supernet‘s networks.

SES Asia-Pacific and the Middle East senior VP commercial Deepak Mathur expressed his satisfaction at working with Supernet since 2010 and delight at being able to support the company‘s growth.

June 25, 2013
A research by GfK reveals a rise in cord cutting in the US

MUMBAI: A research conducted by GfK Media & Entertainment shows that the estimated number of Americans relying exclusively on over-the-air (OTA) television broadcasting increased to 59.7 million, up from 54 million just a year ago. The percentage of TV households currently OTA reliant has grown from 14 per cent in 2010 to 19.3 per cent in the current survey, a 38 per cent increase in just four years. The survey also found that the demographics of broadcast-only households continue to skew toward younger adults, minorities and lower-income families.

The 2013 Ownership Survey and Trend Report, part of The Home Technology Monitor research series, found that 19.3 per cent of all US households with TVs rely solely on OTA signals to watch TV programming; this compares with 17.8 per cent of homes reported as broadcast-only last year. Overall, GfK estimates that 22.4 million households representing 59.7 million consumers receive television exclusively through broadcast signals and are not subscribing to a pay-TV service (i.e. a traditional pay-TV service such as cable, satellite, Verizon FIOS or AT&T U-Verse).

“Over-the-air households continue to grow, making up an increasingly sizeable portion of television viewers,” says GfK Media & Entertainment senior VP David Tice. And, the proportion of households that have never paid for cable or satellite service also continues to grow. “Our research reveals that over-the-air broadcasting remains an important distribution platform of TV programming; this year‘s results confirm the statistically significant growth in the number of broadcast-only TV households in the US, which we identified in 2012.”

According to the 2013 study, 5.9 per cent of TV households “cut the cord” in their current home at some point in the past. Among households that eliminated pay-TV service responding to the 2013 survey, most report overall cost-cutting or not enough value for cost as the reason for doing so (respondents could give more than one reason). These were also the top reasons given in the 2012 survey for eliminating pay-TV service.

Homes headed by younger adults are also more likely to access TV programming exclusively through broadcast signals. Twenty-eight percent of homes with a head of household age 18-34 (up from 18 per cent in 2010) are broadcast only, compared with 19 per cent of homes in which the head of household is 35-49, or 17 per cent of homes in which the head of household is 50 years of age or older. Two out of ten (21 per cent) younger over-the-air households have never purchased a pay TV service according to the current survey.

June 25, 2013

Demand for Tablets and Smartphones to exceed need for Desktop PCs or notebooks: Gartner

NEW DELHI: Even as the demand for desktop PCs and even notebooks will continue to decline, the number of tablets and smartphones will rise consistently in 2013 and 2014.

A survey by Gartner says that total shipment of devices will rise in 2013. A total 2.35 billion Units including (PCs, mobile phones, tablets) are expected to be shipped in the year 2013, a 5.9 per cent increase from 2012. But the major share will come from tablets and smartphones and the share of ultra-mobiles will be minimal.

The trend of fixed computers or rather desktop computers is declining and most of the new buyers prefer to have a smarter mobile unit. Some 305 million units will be shipped in the desk-based and notebook category in 2013, 10.6 per cent lower to what industry shipped in 2012 but on the other hand, tablets will rise by 67. 9 per cent with shipment reaching 202 million units against 120 million units shipped in 2012.

Devices Shipment by Segment (Thousands of Units): Gartner
Device Type	2012	2013	2014
PC (Desktops and Notebook	341,273	305,178	289,239
Ultramobile	9,787	20,301	39,824
Tablet	120,203	201,825	276,178
Mobile Phone	1,746,177	1,821,193	1,901,188
Total	2,217,440	2,348,497	2,506,429

Mobile phone market will see more competition as the consumer waits for better models and lower prices. The mobile market will grow by 4.3 per cent to 1.8 billion units during 2013. Decreasing smartphone prices and availability of latest OS version in the mobile phones have increased the life cycle of the device. It will impact the growth as it will be slower in 2013.

Ultra mobile and hybrid devices are creating new trends and according to the Gartner analysts, devices such as Chromebooks, Slates etc are attracting people more than other mobile devices but their cheaper versions are getting more popular among masses. For example, more than 60 per cent of iOS devices are iPad mini and so is the case with other platforms.

As more models are coming by the end of 2013 with Intel’s Bay Trail and Haswell along with Windows 8.1, the fourth quarter looks more promising.

In the operating system segment, Android continues to grow as table 2 shows. There will be 866 million Android units shipped in 2013 and in 2014 they will hit a 1.06 billion mark.

Devices Shipments by OS (Thousands of Units): Gartner
Operating System	2012	2013	2014
Android	505,509	866,781	1,061,270
Windows	346,464	339,545	378,142
iOS/Mac	212,878	296,356	354,849
RIM	34,584	25,224	22,291
Others	1,118,004	820,592	689,877
Total	2,217,439	2,348,498	2,506,429

June 25, 2013

Debunking plagiarism Rajkumar Gupta: “Gunchakkar script is co-written by Parvez Sheikh”

BENGALURU: Denying plagiarism, the soon to be released Hindi film Gunchakkar director Rajkumar Gupta said that the story belonged to a writer named Parvez Sheikh who had co-written the script. Gupta said that Sheikh had narrated the script to him way back in 2008.

According to reports, Dhirender Kumar who hails from Nepal, alleged that the story ofGhunchakkar was similar to the one for which he had penned a script in 2010-11. Kumar, who claims to have registered the script, filed a complaint with the Film Writers Association on May 20, has sent a legal notice to the production house UTV Motion Pictures, and requested a High Court stay for its slated release date of 28 June 2013.

Reacting strongly to queries, Gupta questioned Kumar’s silence for such a long time – the trailer of the film was released more than three months ago. He said “It’s strange that people always get up and claim that the story is theirs and file cases in the week before which a film is to be released. Collectively, as an industry we should be going against such people to court. This claim is absolutely false.”

Refusing to comment further on the counteraction measures, he said that the UTV team was looking into it. Gupta was at the Reliance Digital Store in Bengaluru for promoting the film along with the lead actors of Ghanchakkar – Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi.

June 24, 2013
MSOs say that cable TV customer response positive for CAFs

MUMBAI: Tomorrow is an important day for TRAI chief Rahul Khullar. Reason: the deadline for cable TV subscribers to send in their customer application forms (CFAs) ends then. And like in the past, it is quite likely that he will summon the heads of the major cable TV MSOs to his office and ask them for their latest update on the situation.

But before that many a cable TV subscriber who has been lax about submitting his CAF to the LCO or the MSO will find his or her analogue connection cut off. Because under cable TV DAS regulations that is the only way TV distribution will function in phase I metros (read Delhi and Mumbai), going forward.

Delhi, especially has been a worry for those in the digitisation value chain as LCOs and customers there (less than 50 per cent had sent in their CAFs as recently as two weeks ago) were taking the requests for CAFs lightly.

TRAI then cracked the whip on MSOs hoping to speed up customer response. Broadcasters – even GECs – were roped in to carry interesting promotional ads informing customers about the imperative for submitting CAFs. In fact, even as recently as four days ago, TRAI warned customers that there would be no change of date, so their CAFs would have to come in.

Indiantelevision.com spoke to some MSO heads to get its own update on how things have been progressing on this front. And most said things were looking up.

Says DEN Networks COO MG Azhar: “The process has been positive as we have already collected 75 per cent of applications.” Azhar supports the move by TRAI to disconnect customers. “At some point, pressure is good,” he points out. “We are positive that once we undertake all the activities including disconnection of non-complying customers, we will receive 100 per cent applications within a week.”

Hathway Cable MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar G. PiIlai reveals that the company has received around 80-90 per cent CAFs for subscribers in Mumbai and Delhi. “Tomorrow we have a meeting with TRAI and let’s see how it goes. We are really happy that the response from both LCOs and consumers has been so positive. We hope that by 1 July. we can bring in retail billing.”

Says InCablenet CEO Nagesh Chhabria: “The collections are still under process, we have managed to collect around 80 per cent in Mumbai and just about 65-70 per cent in Delhi.” Naresh did add that the connections of the non-complying customers will be cut from tomorrow. “The ads currently running across TV sets is spreading awareness about the CAFs and we are confident that the customers will soon comply with the submissions of the forms.”

June 24, 2013
TRAI extends date for comments on consultation paper on monopoly/market dominance in Cable TV Services

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today extended till 1 July the date for comments on its consultation paper on Monopoly/Market Dominance in Cable TV services issued on 3 June.

At the request of stakeholders, TRAI also announced that counter-comments would be received by 8 July.

The paper was aimed at wanting to know if stakeholders agree that the State should be the relevant market for measuring market power in the cable TV sector or suggest alternatives.

In the first place, TRAI which said it had issued the paper at the instance of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, wanted to know if stakeholders agree that there is a need to address the issue of monopoly/market dominance in cable TV distribution and how the ill effects of monopoly/market dominance can be addressed.

The paper contains a series of fifteen questions touching various aspects.

TRAI has sought to know whether, to curb market dominance and monopolistic trends, restrictions in the relevant cable TV market should be based on area of operation or based on market share.

Those who feel it should be based on area of operation will have to specify how the area of a relevant market ought to be divided amongst MSOs for providing cable TV service.

Those who feel it should be based on market share, what should be the threshold value of market share beyond which an MSO is not allowed to build market share on its own. Furthermore, how this can be achieved in markets where an MSO already possesses market share beyond the threshold value. Furthermore, TRAI wants comments on the suitability of the rules defined in the paper in this connection.

Stakeholders have to give their views about the threshold values increase indicated by the regulator, or suggest defining restrictions.

TRAI wants to know if ‘control’ of an entity over other MSOs/LCOs be decided according to the conditions mentioned in the paper or suggestion on alternatives.

Stakeholders wanting different restrictions to curb market dominance have been asked to suggest these.

TRAI has also sought to know whether the parameters listed by it in the paper are adequate with respect to mandatory disclosures for effective monitoring and compliance of restrictions on market dominance in Cable TV sector, and the periodicity of such disclosures.

The regulator wants to know of any amendments to be made in the statutory rules/executive orders for implementing the restrictions.

June 24, 2013